Mœðask mér á óði
— mest þarf hóf at flestu —
(brands hefr ôrr til enda)
orðvôpn* (kveðit drôpu).
Skulu eldviðir ǫldu
alljósan brag kalla
— þjóð hafi þekt á kvæði
þvísa — Leiðarvísan.
Orðvôpn* mœðask mér á óði; mest hóf þarf at flestu; ôrr brands hefr kveðit drôpu til enda. Ǫldu eldviðir skulu kalla alljósan brag Leiðarvísan; þjóð hafi þekt á kvæði þvísa.
My word-weapons [ORGANS OF SPEECH] become exhausted from the poem; the greatest moderation is needed in most things; the sword-blade’s messenger [MAN] has recited the poem to the end. Trees of the fire of the wave [(lit. ‘fire-trees of the wave’) GOLD > MEN] shall call the very bright poem ‘Leiðarvísan’; may people derive pleasure from this poem.
[8] Leiðarvísan: Lit. ‘Way-guidance’. The poem’s title draws attention to the conceit of the Christian life as a journey, possibly a pilgrimage, for which the poet has provided guidance concerning penitence, sinless living and Sunday observance. On the title, see the Introduction. Has 64/2 also gives the name of the poem in the penultimate st., as do the anonymous poets of Sól and Lil.